Rangers and Celtic are ready to push Shankland’s new Premiership

If Celtic and Glasgow Rangers are to fail in the race for the Premiership title this season, the Old Firm may look to their top players as a major source of blame.

At Parkhead, the Hoops are still waiting to find a replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi, and Johnny Kenny, who is the striker with the most goals in the league (six), although he left on loan in January.

As for the Ibrox side, it’s been a mixed bag for both Bojan Miovski and Youssef Chermiti, despite scoring 18 Premiership goals between them, with Chermiti ranking second in the division in terms of ‘big chances’ missed.

League leaders Hearts have instead been boosted by Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, the pair aged 14 and 13, respectively, and the former have been linked with a move to Glasgow.

In 30 years, this opportunity may have come and gone, although the latest Premiership sentiment may change instead.

Celtic and Rangers are looking to fight for the Premiership star

The search for a striker continues in Glasgow, but it is not a desperate one, as Rangers have invested in three strikers, Ryan Naderi who arrived on deadline day to add to the previous signings of Chermiti and Miovski.

As for Celtic, a host of attackers have failed in 2025/26, with Shin Yamada quickly leaving on loan, Callum Osmand hampered by injury and Junior Adamu yet to score a single league goal.

Tomas Cvancara has only scored two goals in the Premiership, while Kelechi Iheanacho has been struggling for form, scoring just six goals in the league all season.

Both the Gers and Parkhead seem to want better, with Football Insider reporting that they are keen to make a move for Motherwell talisman Tawanda Maswanhise.

According to the report, the Old Firm are reportedly in the running for the 23-year-old’s signature, with ‘bids expected’ this summer following his impressive goalscoring form at Fir Park.

There could be an ‘uphill battle’ involving the Zimbabwean, however, with clubs in the EFL Championship also likely to show interest.

Why Maswanhise could be the new Shankland

For a long time, Shankland has been the cream of the Premiership’s strikers, rightly linked with a move to Glasgow after repeatedly delivering the goods in Edinburgh.

The Scot led the way in 2023/24 with 27 goals in the top flight, having also finished third in the tally last year, after scoring 24 goals in 2022/23.

Indeed, he is still strong today, he is helping to push forward the title of Hearts, although he was considered by Maswanhise as a feared mark in this division.

Having signed from Leicester City in 2024, the in-demand striker has established himself at the forefront of Scottish football by enjoying a real splash this time around, emerging as a star attraction from the respected Motherwell side.

Under the tutelage of Jens Askou, the free-scoring player has risen to the top with 17 league goals so far, proving a real success in what has been an exciting Premiership season.

In all competitions again, his tally stands at 22 goals, and he has now scored 28 in his first 75 games for Scotland – a strong return for a player who had just been on his own at Leicester.

Thought to be available for around £5m, there is a feeling that Maswanhise is ready for the next step, especially with just over a year left on his deal.

There may be concerns about his record against the best in this division, having scored just once against Celtic or Rangers, but as they say, if you can’t beat them, join them.

In Shankland’s case, he has proven his worth for some time now, although he may not have been on the boat when it came to marquee moves.

Maswanhise may be keen to avoid a repeat of that, as the race is on to see if Celtic or Rangers can get in front of the line this summer.

Regardless of whether or not Hearts win the title, the Old Firm rivals are in dire need of another firecracker heading into 2026/27.